“Champions aren’t made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them - a desire, a dream, a vision.” - Muhammad Ali

KARNES CITY – Young Karnes City boxer, Jacob Coffman, displayed his tenacity and courage at the Texas state boxing championships on June 14-16 in Houston.

After winning his semi-final match, Coffman advanced to the final and was edged out in a hard-fought contest with Houston fighter Ephraim Bui, earning a silver medal in the 110 lb. division.

This previous May, Coffman displayed his champion’s heart by going undefeated and winning the gold medal at the Junior Olympic regionals in Aransas Pass.

Coffman, 13, started boxing at the age of nine at Tocallos Boxing in Karnes City, and is trained by coaches Chris and Domingo Tobar, who have instilled in Coffman a work ethic, discipline, and fighting heart.

“He surprises me every time he goes into the ring,” said Chris Tobar. “He’s got so much heart. He has so much talent...he has it all.”

When Coffman first came to Tocallos Boxing, he was a diamond in the rough, say his coaches. With the instruction, tutelage, and encouragement Coffman received in the fighter’s trade, he turned his young life away from a negative path and steered toward a brighter, goal-oriented future.

“If you would’ve seen his attitude when he first started boxing, when he was nine years old, you would now see a 180 degree turn around,” said Domingo Tobar. “His attitude has changed tremendously. If you would’ve known him three or four years ago, he was headed in the wrong direction. Now, he‘s not only a champion in boxing, he’s also a champion in track. His graded have improved. He’s just an awesome kid. ”

Coffman and at least three other fighters from Tocallos Boxing will soon compete in the TAAF Games of Texas on July 25-28 in Corpus Christi. Coffman has won the gold in the event the past three years and will be gunning for his fourth consecutive gold.

Coffman enjoys sponsorship from RSI Services, Supreme Vacuum Services, and Marathon Oil in his tough and challenging quest to be the very best fighter he can be in the combat sport of boxing.

“He’s just an awesome kid to work with,” said Domingo Tobar of his young fighter. “Those are the kind of kids who will grow to make a difference in this world.”

Tocallos Boxing is located at 202 E. Travis Street in Karnes City. For more inormation, contact Coach Chris Tobar at 830-358-3871.